c.—lo

(3) Bealey Glacier Track is next on the list for improvements to be done, as it is more used than probably any other track at the Pass. " (4) Surveys of New Tracks : The question of surveying track lines in the Mingha and Edwards Valleys has been deferred until the completion of the Mount Aitken and Goat Hill tracks. The latter would probably follow the line along Barrack Creek ridge laid down many years since by the Public Works Department. " (5) General: Endeavours have been made to blaze a suitable line for a track leading from the Mount Aitken ridge down into the Punch Bowl. In this connection Mr. R. Scott was invaluable in his assistance to the ranger, and the Committee hopes before long to have a favourable solution to the problem. Investigations have also been made into the possibility of forming a suitable approach to the Bowl up the creek itself, as these falls have a constant attraction for visitors, who seem always anxious for a closer view. " Lake Kaurapataka. —The necessary formalities being now completed, there will be added to the park a large and interesting tract of new country extending up the Taramakau Valley on its southern side as far as Harper's Pass. This historic river valley is covered for many miles with grass-covered shingle flats, along which progress on foot or on horse-back can easily be made. It is flanked on either side by high peaks, most attractive to the visitor either in winter or summer. One of the beauty spots of this newly acquired area is Lake Kaurapataka, situated about six miles from Aitken's Railwaystation, and at an altitude of 1,360 ft. It is one mile and a quarter long by about one-quarter broad. As it is surrounded to the water's edge by luxuriant bush, your Committee has commenced the formation of a two-mile track leading from the open Taramakau River bed up the Ppeiffer Stream to the western end of the lake. From this point it proceeds along the southern shore on to the eastern extremity overlooking the Otaheke Gorge, a little below the hot sulphur springs. When better known this addition to the park will attract many visitors. " Alpine Rock Garden. —Mr. M. J. Barnett has continued to render valuable assistance and advice in the maintenance and stocking of this garden. Under his direction a gardener trained in this class of work devoted several weeks to improvements, with the result that the rockery is well stocked and the plants have become satisfactorily established. " Plants Protection. —The question of plants protection is rapidly becoming one calling for more serious consideration. First of all there is much illegal pillaging of plants by visitors, more especially in the western portion of the park. This is difficult to combat with the very limited number of rangers at the command of the Board. In addition to this, numerous applications are being made from individuals and from institutions for permission to take plants and seeds from the park. A uniform practice should be adopted by the Board in dealing with such applications. There is probably no highway in this country passing through such an interesting alpine garden, the very proximity of which to the road is the source of much of the danger to the plants. Conservation is important as affecting not only this natural garden, but also our established rockeries. The more attractive the display in the latter, the more vulnerable they become to poachers. Already some of the rarer plants introduced into these plots have been illegally removed. " Noxious Weeds. —These have become very plentiful in certain localities not only within the Park reservation, but on lands under the control of the Railways Department and the Highways Board. These two Departments on being approached very promptly agreed to co-operate in the eradication of broom, brier, gorse, fox-glove, and other noxious weeds. Good work has been done in this respect by their employees and also by our own ranger. " Fire-prevention. —Although there has been a pleasing absence of bush fires during the past year, your Committee is pleased to report that arrangements for the creation of a fire district extending from the Divide down to the Taipo River are well advanced. This will not only help greatly in the prevention of fires, but will facilitate the control of such outbreaks as may unfortunately occur. " Highway within the Park. —Improvements continue to be made by the Highways Board, chief among them being the building of a traffic bridge over Rough Creek within the township. It is hoped that, following the completion of this work, the necessary elimination of adjacent dangerous corners will be effected and the road generally straightened up. Later on the advisability of tar-sealing the highway within the township might be discussed. At Twin Creeks a sunken corduroy track has been provided, which, pending the construction of the proposed bridge, is making traffic much safer at this previously dangerous point."

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